I was on my best behaviour.

It was greatly to my confusion, therefore, as I walked upstairs under the inspection of those of the upper flat, that I stumbled on the narrow steps.

In order to reassure my would-be friends, I called out, "Don't be alarmed, I am a chaplain and a teetotaller".

They burst out laughing and on my arrival at the top greeted me very heartily.

I was taken into a long bedroom where there were five beds in a row, one of which was assigned to me.